Dress the part for your best start

A guide on what to wear when working out

Whether a seasoned gym goer or new at working out, motivation is key to success and effectively making use of your time at the gym. A large part of this motivation is looking the part, particularly when joining a new gym or trying new workouts. For most, the thought of working out is more of a glamorous fad. Although inner confidence also plays a part, the right workout gear will surely help you take risks with working out and push yourself to the limit so that you can move away from the healthy trend, to an overall healthy lifestyle.

We are all victim to bad gym style- male and female, so do not feel like you must ALWAYS BE ON POINT. However, it’s not all about style – function plays a huge role here as well. The right gear can help contain sweat, allow you to properly execute and display movements, and can even protect sensitive skin. The focus should always be on fitness, not attracting the wrong type of attention.

Different Types of Clothing

Before you start working out, prep yourself with a small arsenal of gear – tees, shorts, etc., so that you give yourself a fighting chance to maintain this workout lifestyle.

Sweaters, tees, tanks and sports bras: No matter what the season, sweating is good! Arm yourself with clothing that can easily be layered and removed no matter what the weather. Clothing should not be too tight or too loose, so don’t opt to simply borrow someone else’s clothing or be comfortable in big clothing. Females working out should consider that support is essential – do not wear super low cut tops and always wear the right bra for your workout. Draw the right attention and do not aim to be a distraction.

Have you ever heard of complaints from women who do not work out because their boobs are too big or hurt? In most cases, this is because women have not considered that their breasts require proper protection. A good sports bra not only alleviates pain following intense cardio activity, but it also protects ligaments and tissues in your chest from stress (e.g., excessive stretching) so that you can push yourself (e.g., faster cardio, increased weight, etc.) without having to be in excessive pain.

Bottoms & Shoes:Whether shorts, capris or long leggings, women always seem to be self conscious with lower body gym gear. It may be due to cellulite, lack of booty, or even unsightly hairy legs. Remember, always dress for the exercise.

Running: wear loose, breathable, bottoms for maximum comfort as this allows airflow and does not hinder maneuverability.

Yoga: fitted shorts, fitting close to the body are best as they allow for maximum flexibility when binding.

Lifting: long leggings work best here as they help to keep your body warm and prevent scrapes when doing certain exercises (e.g., deadlifts).

In any case, always consider that some clothing may not be suitable for exercise. Such items can include lighter coloured clothing, as this shows sweat, thin leggings, as this is translucent when worn, and “slush” pants, which look like they could be good for working out, but are more noisy than anything.

Don’t forget:Proper footwear is required for all physical activity so that you can avoid injury. When doing cardio activity, be sure to wear comfortable athletic shoes that support your feet and ankles. When lifting weights, consider flat-soled trainers so that you can get a steady footing when lifting. Some brands that you may want to consider: Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, New Balance,…

The gym is not a place for competition, whether considering how much you can lift, or even what you wear. Rather, it is a community of people coming together each for individual gain with a common goal. Do not try to look the best, but rather, feel the best with what you do and how you go about doing it. Empower peers, work out with partners, and push each other to obtain all your goals.